Knicks get to see Phil Jackson in action

Phil Jackson will be feted at his introductory news conference this morning, arriving with a history that includes a presence at the only two championships in Knicks history as well as one of the most accomplished — and interesting — coaching careers.

But his role won’t be as player or coach.

BE THE COACH: Before the Knicks start searching through the college ranks and assistant coaches, maybe the best place to look is in the mirror. Remember the comparisons in which the Knicks recruited Jackson the same way the Miami Heat courted Pat Riley — when Riley headed south he coached for seven seasons, went upstairs for two-plus years, coached again — winning a title — and then finally put a protégé in place in Erik Spoelstra.

There is no greater impact Jackson could have on the franchise than to limp along the bench for at least a season. As Riley did with Spoelstra, how much more faith would you have in a neophyte coach if Jackson was there to implement his system?

FIND A COACH: If health or will fails, and Jackson won’t go that way, he’s got a handful of choices, including Steve Kerr, who won rings as a player for Jackson in Chicago and then won again as a player in San Antonio for Gregg Popovich. He served as a general manager for the Phoenix Suns and is currently a television analyst, but has expressed a desire to coach. He looks like the favorite — openly talking about his desire.

Other names certain to surface? Former Dallas head coach Jim Cleamons, who served as an assistant to Jackson and now works as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks. Brian Shaw played and coached under Jackson, then worked for the Pacers as an assistant before taking over in Denver as the head coach this year. It’s unlikely he’d bolt after just one year there — and certainly Jackson doesn’t need to hand more compensation to the Nuggets.

Tex Winter, the architect of the triangle offense, is 92 years old, so he’s not coming. Other clues? When Jackson served as a consultant for the Pistons and they hired Maurice Cheeks (who is available after being bounced after just 50 games), he also had the team interview Nate McMillan and J.B. Bickerstaff.

’MELO AND THE TRIANGLE: While the system is well-regarded, having a go-to scorer at the end of the offensive set is a must — as evidenced by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Carmelo Anthony seems like a fit, being the defending NBA scoring champ, and he said Monday that he would trust a change in systems to win.

But there is that little matter of Anthony’s free agency, so it’s no sure thing that he’ll even be on the roster next season. If he departs, J.R. Smith is the best fit in that role on the team. Let that thought float around your mind for a moment and consider again if you don’t think Anthony is worth paying the $130 million over five years that the team can hand him.

ROCK ON: Jackson may have followed the Grateful Dead through some tour stops, but what he really needs is James Dolan to take his band, JD and The Straight Shot, out on tour and let Jackson handle the basketball decisions. Lots of highly regarded basketball men have come aboard with the understanding that Dolan would let them do their job — hello Larry Brown, Donnie Walsh and the rest of you basketball lifers — only to find their authority undermined.

It’s not just Dolan that’s the problem either — the organization is stocked with spies, folks whose only goal is to curry favor with the owner by keeping tabs on every slight. We’re not just talking the yes men attached to his hip — but even in the basketball side of the operation. Jackson might want to test his power quickly by cleaning house of those who will eventually be politicking against him.

SOCIALITE: It’s no secret Jackson didn’t make friends on his way to his 11 championship rings as a coach — including in New York where his Bulls were the mortal enemy for nearly a decade. But his personality means that his choice of general manager might be his most important — the person who will smooth those rough relationships and help Jackson’s front office make the much-needed trades and help recruit free agents.

GET BUSY: The Knicks’ roster seems locked up for next season, but Jackson can get right to work and if he wants to rebuild, there are a number of contracts that could be moved — and possibly find a way to get the Knicks back into the 2014 draft. That might mean moving pieces such as Tyson Chandler — which might not be the worst thing since he doesn’t fit the Jackson style. The scary part — Andrew Bynum does.